Conducting ResearchInvestigating Your Topic

Copyright 2012, Lisa McNeilley

Four Stages of Research

Preparing

Conducting

Taking Notes

Using Research

Preparing to Research

Preparing

A research project usually begins witha problem to be addressedquestions to be answeredinformation to be sought

Asking Research Questions

Be specific and precise

Identify core concepts

Look for problems and controversies

Consider topic from different angles

Think about underlying concepts

Think about questions a reader would have

Conducting Research

Conducting Research

Use a variety of sources, on-line sources, print sources (journals and magazines),

books, and reference materials.

Begin with secondary sources

Be familiar with your library database

Use scholarly databases

Limiting Research

Use keywords to direct your search.

If you have too many sources limit your search by timeframe, type of source and specific keywords.

Your Sources

Get more information by looking at theIndexTable of ContentsReferences or Bibliography

Avoid dictionaries, encyclopedias, and Wikipedia at this point in your research.

Avoid sources with extreme and obvious biases, unless you can balance them with other sources.

Taking Notes

Taking Notes

Note the writer’s purpose and main idea(s).

Take note of main arguments and claims and any ideas particularly related to your purpose.

Write down any new ideas or questions you want to pursue.

Taking Notes, cont’d

Write each idea on one index card and include:a heading in the form of a key word or phrase,

the author’s last name and the page number of the information (for use in citation in the paper),

the type of card: Quote, Paraphrase, Question, or Own Idea.

Sample Note Card

Keyword:

Type of card:

Author:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Evaluate Sources

Bias/Credentials

Timeliness

Relevance

Scholarship/Accuracy

Read Critically

Focus on the key idea or thesisConsider how text fits with your view

Consider the author’s motivation and purpose

Reflect on the target audienceLook for contradictions or omissions

Look for patterns

Using Research

Using Sources

You may want to use the ideas in a source in order toillustrate the point you are making

provide support for your own ideas

analyze the original author’s assumptions or ideas

propose an idea which you explain and support.

Paraphrase

Make sure you understand the point the author is making

Maintain the smooth flow of your paper

Cite the source if the idea you are discussing is original to your source

Two Ways to Paraphrase

Read over a section and then sum up the entire idea in your own words

Look at the particular words and change them to fit your purpose while maintaining the meaning

Using Quotes

Three or more words copied verbatim from a source

Use quotation marks Cite the quoteBlock Quotes that are longer than four lines of text long

When to Use Quotes

You want to analyze the wording or ideas of the author.

You cannot paraphrase without losing the idea or flavor of the quote.

You want to maintain the original’s authors ideas because of the beauty of the wording or because your purpose is to analyze the words or ideas.

Incorporating Quotes into Your Paper

Introduce the quote or idea.Explain the quote in your own words and tell how the quote fits your point.

Make the quote fit into the flow of your sentence/ideas.

Introducing Quotes and Ideas

The first time: use author’s full name provide necessary credentials the name of the work.

Subsequent references to the author should use the author’s last name.

Reasons to Introduce Quotes

Show where another writer’s ideas begin (documentation marks the end),

Distinguish these ideas from your own, and

Maintain a smooth flow in your paper.

Common Phrases to Introduce Source Material

According to …;

In the article, “Title, by Author,…;

The main point of “Title” is…;

Author asserts/claims/ contends/ argues/ is correct/ is incorrect;

This point is presented by Author when he/she says…;

Author is effective/ineffective at presenting the idea that… because…;

Explaining Quotes

Without an explanation, the reader can develop any interpretation, even one that is at odds with your intent.

As a writer, ask yourself, “What does that quote mean?” Ask, “How does it support my own point?” Incorporate answers into your paper.

You can use connecting words like the following: that is; in other words; the significance of this point is; significantly; this means/indicates that; this is relevant because; etc.

Using Your Own Ideas

Your claims or argumentsConclusions you draw from the research you have done

Your interpretation and explanation of research

New connections you make or patterns you draw out from the material.

How to Present Your Ideas

Generate a list of your claims and conclusions or connections you have drawn.

Rewrite sentences that include “I think” or “I feel,” during.

Offer valid and relevant support for any claims to make them valuable.

Using Personal Experience

Use in informal writing.

Check with your instructor.

Make your experience relevant to your purpose.

Assume a reader won’t know—you need to explain clearly.

Make sure to establish your credibility or expertise.

Wrapping Up

Use correct citation

Construct a Works Cited or Reference Page

Verify facts, numbers and names

Revise and Edit Carefully